Moving from Denton, TX to St. Louis, MO
The drive from Denton, TX to St. Louis, MO runs 636 mi β about 11h 35m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
636 mi Β· 11h 35m by car Β· MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Frisco, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.09 to 95.088, putting St. Louis roughly 7.8% below Denton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 43.9" |
Climate cools by 7.4Β°F on the annual average β 65.4Β°F β 58.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 31 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.03 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.8% between Denton and St. Louis (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is St. Louis more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 7.8% lower than Denton (95.088 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Denton vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $73,719 in Denton β a 25.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denton to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 636 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 636 mi and the route typically takes 11h 35m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· St. Louis, MO.